Joe Piscopo at Home Opener?

John Brazer, the Phillies Director of Publicity, announced on the WIP morning show who will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Home Opener against the Royals.  This year, there will be three people.  Mike Schmidt and George Brett, Hall of Famers from the classic 1980 World Series.  Nice! Then, Brazer announced that Modell’s, the Opening Day sponsor, would have a representative tossing out the first pitch.  That representative is owner Mitchell Modell’s friend, Joe Piscopo.  WHAT?  WHY?  HOW?

Vio_PhilliesCould they find anyone less relevant to Phillies’ baseball or Philadelphia?  The dude did an impressive Frank Sinatra impersonation and sometimes referenced Atlantic City.  Is that the connection? Brazer knew this was an issue as he prefaced the announcement by saying Piscopo was the only person in attendance at the Yankees’ Opener wearing a Phillies jersey.  He probably removed the jersey quicker than it took the photographer put the cover back on his lens.

I understand excessive corporate sponsorship is a part of professional sports.  The Flyers remind us during ever home-game with those annoying digital billboards behind the nets.  I understand that while sitting in my 17-game plan seats in section 111 at Citizen Bank Park and looking at the scoreboard that I will have to look at ads from Remax, Coca-Cola, Toyota, WB Mason and host of other sponsors.  I accept that.  However, this crosses the line.

This smells like Mitchell Modell doing a favor for his celebrity buddy and forcing this North New Jersey/NYC lifer onto us Phillies fans during our sacred Home Opener.  Are the Phillies simply being corporate sell-outs to the detriment of their loyal fans who come in excess of three million strong each baseball season.  He adds zero fun and/or excitement to Opening Day!  This is a VIOLATION to the highest degree.

Joe Piscopo is a life-long Yankees fan with zero connection to the Phillies or Philadelphia.  If that’s not bad enough, check out this picture:

letsgomets

 

 

 

 

 

Ya know where it’s from?  It’s from the 1986 Let’s Go Mets video in which Joe Piscopo made a cameo.  Below is the video.  Joe shows up about 1:50 into the video.

Let's Go Mets Go - 1986 New York Mets theme song

Piscopo says he was never a Mets fan, but only did the video to get his kid into the park.  Ok, so he’s a Yankees fan, who has no problem selling-out to make promotional videos for a competing baseball team.  That team happens to be the Phillies rivals ninety miles north.  He’s also a NJ Devils fan.  Here’s he his during a radio appearance sporting his Yankees and Devils pride.

Vio_Piscopo

I saw the clips of Mitchell Modell on Undercover Boss.  He was sobbing with an employee as he handed her $250,000 for a house after finding out she was homeless.  So, he does have a heart.  Perhaps he can be convinced over the next few days to give Phillies fans an appropriate Modell’s representative to toss out the ceremonial first pitch.  Perhaps, he could find someone actually related to Philadelphia and sports.  Maybe LaSalle guard Tyrone Garland?

Vio_modells

Garland led the #13 seed LaSalle Explores into the Sweet 16 of the 2013 NCAA Tourney.  He’s a Southwest Philly kid, a Bartram grad.  He brought the term Southwest Philly Floater to national prominence when he described his game-winning bucket to Marv Albert.  That’s the kind of representative that would make me want to shop at Modell’s, not Joe Piscopo.

Tyrone GarlandPhillies, Modell’s, Mitchell Modell, do the right thing.  Respect Philadelphia and Phillies fans.  Replace Piscopo while there’s still time!